Sunday, 27 July 2014

Today I’m going to be telling you all about the amazing St Ives Green Tea Scrub. I have been completely converted since I started using this scrub, I now refuse to use anything else because other exfoliating facial scrubs just don’t seem to compare.

The Brand – St Ives

St Ives falls under the umbrella of Unilever, who also own a bunch of companies including Ben & Jerry’s (YUM!), Toni & Guy and Dove. St Ives is dedicated to a natural philosophy and believe that nature has the power to “soothe, heal, awaken and energize”. While I’m not a huge fan of wishy washy statements about nature, I like the essentials behind it. Products by St Ives are paraben free with eco-friendly packaging. I didn’t know this, but apparently St Ives used to have a hair care range too but it was discontinued. I would have been very keen to try it, but I guess I’ll have to settle for skin care only. St Ives specialise in scrubs, the Apricot Scrub was my favourite until the Green Tea Scrub came out of nowhere to take up prime position in my shower.

The Product – Naturally Clear Green Tea Scrub ($9.99 for 150ml)

I saw this on the shelf in Priceline aka my second home, but didn’t think much of it until I read thisrave review by Kat from Kitsch Snitch. I immediately dashed back to Priceline to pick up a tube. The scrub is a blemish control scrub and as the name suggests, the main ingredient is green tea to help clear breakouts. It also contains 1% salicylic acid and is oil free. The scrub granules are beach sand sized (that is the geologist in me coming out!) and they are absolutely packed in. I hate buying a “scrub” only to find that it’s all face wash with a couple of exfoliating grains thrown in for good measure (looking at you, Clean & Clear Morning Burst Scrub!). The other thing I hate with scrubs is when the granules are so rough, it feels like rubbing your face into a pile of gravel. I used to love the St Ives Apricot Scrub, but that is what it feels like compared to the Green Tea. The Green Tea Scrub has the perfect size grains, the perfect amount of grains and I find it is gentle enough to use every day.

Using the product

I’m hoping that most of you are competent enough to know how to use a basic face scrub… In case you need a refresher course: wet, scrub, rinse, done! A pea size amount (this is actually funny, because it’s pea-coloured too) is more than enough for your whole face and neck. It has a lovely, fresh, fruity smell that reminds me of the Garnier Fructus hair care range. It doesn’t leave skin feeling tight or dry, but I always follow with a toner and moisturiser. St Ives recommends their Green Tea Cleanser (of course) but I have yet to try it and my skin seems pretty happy with the scrub alone.

Overall Score

The Good

Perfect amount and sized granules

Fruity scent

Blemish clearing ingredients

Gentle enough to use daily

The Bad

Probably too harsh for sensitve skin

KaBOOM! Cosmetics gives the St Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Scrub:

Does the St Ives Green Tea Scrub appeal to you? Or maybe it’s already a firm favourite in your shower? Let me know if you’ve tried the Green Tea Scrub or what your favourite scrub is the comments.

Green Tea is amazing, not just for the skin! This has a really great scent too. Some people with sensitive skin might be alright with it but I just feel like it might be a bit too much, even though it's not as harsh as most exfoliators.